December 23, 2011

Letters to the Editor

Submit a letter to the editor electronically | For our letter writing policy, click here

No letters were printed this week; here is the letter from last week:

At what cost—literally—is new translation of Roman Missal?

I have just finished reading the article quoting Father Jonathan Meyer in the Dec. 2 issue of The Criterion regarding the new English translation of the Roman Missal.

I, like many of my Catholic friends, am adapting easily to the changes but I, also like many of my Catholic friends, am questioning the timing of this change and the money it is costing to put into practice.

Why is it necessary? I cannot help but ask: Is this really a necessary change, especially in today’s economy when money is tight for everyone? Is this change really going to make a change in my faith?

At my parish, we started out with paper instructions to follow but, as you might guess, they did not last long so they were replaced by a more durable product. What can this be costing?

I am a retired person, living mostly on Social Security and some small investments, so I have some idea of everyday expenses. I also know that our parishes and schools are in trouble financially.

We, as Catholics, are asked to reach deep into our pockets each and every year to contribute from our “treasures” to support our parishes and the archbishop’s annual appeal.

We are asked to take a name tag from the Christmas tree in our church and bring a gift for that person. We are asked to contribute to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the HOOP ministry, the Christmas decorations—it goes on and on.

I truly want to help as much as I can, but I cannot understand the spending of thousands of dollars to change a few words in the Roman Missal when there is so much need out there.

In the big picture, does it really matter what words we say—as long as we are practicing our faith and attending and participating in the Mass? Does it really matter if we say “And also with you” or “And with your spirit?”

Should we not be putting our “treasures” to work in helping the poor, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc., rather than worrying about a few words in a missal?

- Marie E. Adams, Greenwood

Local site Links: